A Kamloops-based constitutional lawyer will tell a Vancouver audience on Monday (February 2) that the way the federal government regulates natural health products is more dangerous than the products themselves.

Shawn Buckley, president of the Natural Health Products Protection Association, told the Straight that Health Canada will regulate natural health products into oblivion this year unless people speak out against federal “drop-dead legislation”, which requires such products to acquire a natural products licence. The problem, according to Buckley, is that many of these products play an important role in people’s well-being.

“January 1, 2010, is the drop-dead date,” Buckley said by phone. “Health Canada has said that as of that date, it doesn’t matter whether or not you have a licence application in; if you don’t have a licence, you’d better get your product off the market.”

Buckley will address what’s being billed as a rally for natural health products at St. Andrew’s–Wesley United Church (1022 Nelson Street). Tickets for the event, which starts at 7 p.m., are $5.

He will also speak about the Charter of Health Freedom he drafted in hopes of protecting Canadians’ right to choose natural health products, and the influence of corporations on Health Canada.

When Buckley spoke at the same venue last June in opposition to Bill C-51, which sought to bring in tough new regulations for natural health products, 500 people attended.

“We are thinking that we need to get the regulations suspended and have Parliament have another look at it,” he said, referring to existing regulations in the Food and Drug Act. “I mean, I think everyone involved, government included, agrees it’s not working. If you’ve tried something for the first time and it’s not working, shouldn’t you put it on hold and have another look?”

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq did not respond to a Straight message by deadline.